In the fast-paced work environment that exists today, Managers expect their employees to have a high level of productivity. The bar is high and the demands in full-time jobs are really getting out of hand. Many businesses are striving to keep pace with the demands of their customers and the competition that exists in the dynamic market is stiff.
The workforce is a business’s greatest asset, and if the staff is overwhelmed then completing daily duties becomes a herculean task. For some employees, the workload they are assigned on a daily basis is getting too much with little time. This causes pressure at work and makes them not meet deadlines.
Let’s highlight some things that can help a Supervisor, Team Lead or Line manager reduce the workload for the team.
Do not Multitask
For many years, the business world has taught and adopted the idea of multitasking, but if you want to achieve more than you may need to give attention to one thing at a time. It has been noticed that employees that multitask struggle to get work done. When you engage in multiple tasks simultaneously, you may fail to do justice to any of them. As a leader, encourage your team to take one assignment at a time.
Prioritize the work
Start your day with a review of all the tasks you plan to complete and what you are expected to achieve. Differentiate what you are expected to do at the start of the day and what you need to do at the end of the day. Prioritizing tasks will guide you on what to do at all times which would make you more efficient. Assign tasks to each member of the team according to their strengths and skills.
Be Flexible and Adaptable
For you to be effective in the workplace, you need to have the ability to listen actively to people who are around you. If you are in a leadership position then it’s even more important that you are flexible and adaptable. The way you approach tasks may need some adjustments to ensure that every member of the team is not overworked. You may need to give your team members room and time to work and monitor their progress.
Communicate Effectively
Communication is important if you must bring the best out of your team. When you are working on a big project and the deadline seems close, ensure you communicate with your team and encourage everyone. When you are giving directions or assigning duties to your team, ensure each person understands exactly what is expected of him.
Keep the doors open
The right relationship with a supervisor or team lead is the one that allows everyone to feel free to express themselves. It is important that your team feels comfortable coming to discuss ideas with you. When your team feels fatigued and overworked and they think you are unapproachable, then they would not be as productive as they should be.
Distribute the difficult tasks first
As a Manager or Supervisor, you have the ability to decide which tasks need to be completed and when. One way to reduce the workload is to tackle the tough and difficult tasks first and afterward take the simpler tasks when the team may be tired. Avoid assigning difficult tasks in the day when the staff may be mentally exhausted.
Outsource some jobs
When it is obvious that the workload is just too much and you have less manpower on the ground to execute, then your business may strongly consider outsourcing some jobs to freelancers. This would help you meet your deadline and also keep your clients happy. Many business owners have benefited greatly by outsourcing some jobs to freelancers on Bixex the global marketplace. Bixex is a global community of Entrepreneurs. You can sign up here.
We believe that by now you would have understood some practical steps you can take to reduce the workload for your team.
Read Also: How an Online Marketplace can Improve Freelance Business.